Keep facebook private? I just read this in PC World mag.

[JR6ooo4]

It has some good tips that I did not know about. Like making friend lists to be able to control what each group can see. Like setting it so that work acquaintances can not see those questionable photos from that last wedding.... hehehehehehee

Can Facebook Be Private?

Erik Larkin, PC World
Jun 23, 2009 4:38 pm
Given the slew of embarrassing stories you've no doubt seen about users accidentally sharing too-personal information, the idea of preserving privacy on a social network may seem like going outside during a thunderstorm and expecting to stay dry.
But at the same time, sites such as Facebook are developing into major hubs for seeing new photos of the latest baby in the family and keeping in touch with far-flung friends and relatives. For example, when my brother recently suffered a major injury, the family got updates on his status via Facebook. So if you'd like to try to stay dry in that online social storm, here are some rules of thumb for using the site without letting the entire world know your business.


Know Your Terms of Service The site is implementing new terms of service after a major PR flap earlier this year. Critics had interpreted earlier announced changes to mean that the company was asserting ownership over anything you might post, but Facebook says it was misunderstood. The new terms, which were approved in a user vote, make clear that "you own all of the content and information you post on Facebook," and that you give Facebook a license to use things like photos or videos you post. See the full new agreement, and a new non-binding statement of general principles. Facebook says it may allow users to vote on future changes, but you can take more immediate action to keep your info private.


Ditch Data-Snooping Apps Many privacy advocates frown on Facebook applications. The company requires that app creators obey certain rules (for example, apps are barred from saving your data for longer than 24 hours), but it doesn't vet these apps before they're released. When you install one, Facebook will warn you that the app can access your personal data, but it won't tell you exactly what personal data that app uses. If you're concerned about privacy, you might want to resist the urge to install that "Discover your Hippy [sic] name" app (and ask your friends to do the same). To see what apps you have currently authorized (and perhaps clear out a few unnecessary ones), go to Settings, Application Settings. Then choose Authorized from the 'Show' drop-down menu.


Limit Your Friends' Apps What's more, if a friend installs an app, the program will by default be able to see anything you've shared with that friend. To restrict the data available to friends' apps, go to Settings, Privacy Settings and click the Applications link. Click the Settings tab up top, and de-select any check boxes on that page for info you don't want shared. Keep in mind that these settings won't change what the apps that you install can read, only the apps that your friends install.


Control What Certain People Can See Your next good move is to make use of a little-known feature that allows you to create a list of friends, then restrict content-sharing to certain lists. For example, you can put all business acquaintances on one list, and restrict photo viewing for those people so they can't see every (potentially embarrassing) photo that you (or they) appear in. Another list, consisting of your closest friends, might be allowed to see everything.
To create a list, click on the Friends link, and under 'Lists' on the left side, click Create. Then, to restrict sharing info with only certain lists, head to Settings, Privacy Settings and click Profile. Select a Profile item's drop-down menu and choose Customize. Then select Some Friends in the resultant pop-up, and enter the name of the friends list you want to choose.


Use Profile Preview If this seems like an awful lot of clicking and hunting, it is. Facebook says it's looking into making things simpler, but for now its privacy settings are a maze. One very helpful tool that can make clear what you're sharing with whom is Facebook's profile preview tool: Go to Settings, Privacy Settings, then Profile, and type a friend's name in the box up top. You'll see your own profile as it would be viewed by that friend, and can then adjust your privacy settings accordingly.

Managing your apps and friend lists will likely give you the most bang for your buck, but for more helpful tips, check out this guide at AllFacebook.com.

• See more like this:
• Facebook,
• privacy

It is a great magazine that has lots of tips every month as well as reviews. Like field test results of the first candidate release of windows 7 showing it not incredibly faster than vista.

MIkeeee

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely be checking into this further.

 

[ma2jr]

Thanks for the info

 

[JR6ooo4]

Thanks for the info

Don't thank me too much. thank pc world. hehehehe

Mikeeee

 

[Papa Deuce]

Plus, I am POSITIVE it violates the TOS of these sites:


One of the things people tend to forget when posting pictures and personal information online is that a lot of it is only a short Internet search away from their current or potential employers (not to mention their parents). It has now become standard procedure for many employers to sit down with Google and cyberstalk potential employees, while the more savvy hunt down Facebook profiles and Twitter feeds. The city of Bozeman Montana, however, has decided that all of that is too much work—it's now requesting that potential employees hand over the login credentials for any social networking sites they frequent.

Background checks are standard procedure for many jobs, as it allows employers to identify problematic legal histories and things of that nature. Bozeman is no exception, as it uses a waiver form to obtain an applicant's consent to use their Social Security and driver's license numbers to dig into their past. But the form is notable in that about a third of area that needs to be filled out by an applicant is devoted to website information.

"Please list any and all, current personal or business websites, web pages or memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc." the form reads. But Bozeman isn't simply interested in finding out where to look for potentially embarrassing personal details; the city wants full disclosure, since the form demands username and password information for each. City employees will apparently be able to dig through any information applicants have put online, regardless of whether it's accessible to the public.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks for sharing, Mike! Very helpful since I'm new to FB.

 

[Terry36]

thank you...i just updated my account.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the tips. I've only been using Facebook regularly for the last few weeks.

I have one thing to say about Facebook: I never knew that I had so many friends back in high school until I joined Facebook!

(Every time I log in, there's another Friend Request from someone that I went to school with but with whom I was not really good friends with! LOL)

P.S. Gina, I don't mean you!

 

[FireDancer]

That Bozeman practice was stopped. Their policy was one of ignorance more than maliciousness.

As far as Facebook goes, I just don't post anything on there I would be embarrassed about. My account is wide open and I would have no problem with any potential employer looking at my page. I go by the rule that anything I post there may be searched for by anyone and post accordingly. This can be a potential employer or even not-yet-born children. It astounds me that people would post anything online and then be surprised when it is found later. This is especially true for teens. ALWAYS think long term and know that what you post might be found 20 years down the road.

 

[JR6ooo4]

That Bozeman practice was stopped. Their policy was one of ignorance more than maliciousness.

As far as Facebook goes, I just don't post anything on there I would be embarrassed about. My account is wide open and I would have no problem with any potential employer looking at my page. I go by the rule that anything I post there may be searched for by anyone and post accordingly. This can be a potential employer or even not-yet-born children. It astounds me that people would post anything online and then be surprised when it is found later. This is especially true for teens. ALWAYS think long term and know that what you post might be found 20 years down the road.

Yep. I would not even begin to think I could protect secrets (that are online) from others who know way more that techy stuff than I. You know? Rocks could probably break my passwords etc....

Mikeeee